Development Account Projects

Computer and telecommunication system for international and national drug control

Background:

The production, manufacture of and trade in psychoactive drugs and the chemicals needed for their illicit manufacture should be controlled nationally and internationally to prevent diversion of these substances into illicit channels, and to ensure that countries obtain the quantities that they need for medical, scientific and other licit purposes. Monitoring and managing movements of controlled substances is a complex process, involving numerous partners. Information needs to be exchanged between commercial companies, national drug control administrations, customs officials and the secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board.

The Computer and Telecommunication System for International and National Drug Control has been designed and is available to strengthen the management and control of licit movements of psychoactive drugs and precursor chemicals, and to enhance timeliness of information exchange at the national and international levels. The system has been developed in three separate phases. This phase involves the application of the system in more countries, particularly developing countries, and its further substantive development. It is being achieved through the distribution, installation and training in the area of the System, as well as the addition of new modules covering additional aspects of demand reduction, such as an international drug abuse assessment system, and modules on supply reduction, illicit trafficking and law enforcement intelligence activities.

Objective:

To increase the capacity of participating Governments to monitor and manage production, manufacture, consumption, stocks and preparations containing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals, using the Computer and Telecommunication System for International Drug Control (NDS)

Expected accomplishment:

Installation and effective use of the computer and telecommunication system for international and national drug control in participating countries

Effects and Impact:

The project has successfully implemented the NDS in 30 countries across the world, ranging from the Americas, Europe, Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, and Australia. With the remaining funds, the project will provide support for up to 50 governments. The establishment of a unified information management system for drug control on a global scale will enable better coordination among governments on national, regional and international levels. The NDS will also assist governments in complying with the requirements of the 1961, 1972, and 1988 drug control conventions, as well as to pave the way for the introduction of other e-governance systems. The project has received financial support from Switzerland, France and Canada , and been endorsed unanimously by CICAD.

The NDS raised awareness on the value of using information technology amongst the Member States for the purposes of collecting, processing and storing data in the context of international drug control. It has further highlighted the importance of systems standardization and harmonization. The National authorities’ information processing procedures have been simplified. Furthermore, the Member States that otherwise would not have had access to this system had the opportunity to benefit from the Development Account. Positive impact has been observed due to the utility of the data collection mechanism, as well as information processing and storage in Member States.